Significant rise in sex ratio at birth: Maneka Gandhi

New Delhi, April 19 (IANS) There is an increasing trend in Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) in 49 districts where the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao programme’ has been implemented, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said here on Tuesday.

Speaking at the launch of ‘Beti Bachao’ programme in 61 additional districts, the minister credited the success of the programme to deputy commissioners, collectors and district magistrates who implemented it by introducing several innovative actions.

“It is as a result of all these efforts that an increasing trend in Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) is visible in 49 districts in the first year of the scheme itself,” said Gandhi.

The programme, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last January, is operational in 100 districts with low child sex ratio.

Gandhi said some of the deliverables of the scheme include reducing school dropout rate for girls, 100 percent institutional deliveries, Gudda-Guddi Boards in every village, safety and security for girls and women.

“The goal is to improve sex ratio at birth by 10 points minimum every year. That will bring to 50 points in five years bringing it up to par,” she said.

Other initiatives include close monitoring of Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (PC&amp;PNDT Act), toilet facility for girls in schools among others, she added.

Earlier, the minister visited the ‘walk through exhibition gallery’ at the venue, showcasing the journey of the scheme.

On the occasion, Gandhi released a booklet titled “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao – A Journey So Far” which traces innovative local interventions undertaken in last year in various districts.